Definition of descant

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< Desargues, Gérard

Descartes, René >

des·cant    (dsknt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. also dis·cant  (ds-) KEY  Music
   1. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme.
   2. The highest part sung in part music.
2. A discussion or discourse on a theme.

intr.v.
des·cant·ed, des·cant·ing, des·cants (dsknt, d-sknt)

1. To comment at length; discourse: "He used to descant critically on the dishes which had been at table" (James Boswell).
2. also dis·cant  (dsknt, d-sknt) KEY  Music
   1. To sing or play a descant.
   2. To sing melodiously.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, a refrain : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin cantus, song from past participle of canere, to sing; see kan- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
descanter(Noun)